Family ties: Wildcat women even up Providence

By BRETT FERRELL

sports@fosters.com

fosters.com

By BRETT FERRELL

sports@fosters.com

Posted Feb. 18, 2013 at 3:15 AM

By BRETT FERRELL

sports@fosters.com

Posted Feb. 18, 2013 at 3:15 AM

DURHAM — Kayla Mork was in the right place at the right time to put a loose puck into the back of the net that sent the University of New Hampshire women’s hockey team into overtime against Providence College.

UNH tied with Providence 3-3 on Sunday after having defeated the Friars 6-4 on Friday in a home-and-home series, taking three points away from the weekend.

Each team had its opportunities to seal up a win throughout the game. Following the second period, UNH trailed 3-2 but turned on the aggression and put a surge of pressure upon the Friars. After a barrage of attempts, Mork capitalized on a rebound shot by Jenna Lascelle with 2:14 remaining in regulation. It was Mork’s second goal of the season, her first coming against the Friars (14-12-5, 8-7-3) on Friday.

“It was a great play by Jenna to just put it out front,” said Mork, the UNH star of the game. “It felt great for our team because we worked hard all game and it felt well-deserved.”

In overtime, the Wildcats (13-14-3, 9-7-2) appeared to be on the brink of taking the win by continuing their aggression. Game-winning opportunities presented themselves including a UNH breakaway with less than 10 seconds left that was staved off by Friars’ goaltender Sarah Bryant for the final of her 31 saves.

“I thought in the last two periods and overtime we really started to assert ourselves,” said UNH head coach Brian McCloskey. “I thought we were getting stronger and I thought they were starting to tire a little bit. Overall, I was really satisfied with the effort.”

“We wanted to put all the pressure we could on them and luckily we got a good bounce,” Mork said.

Kristina Lavoie accounted for the game’s first goal on a power play a little more than 10 minutes into the first period, but it was soon answered by a pair of Providence goals by Nicole Anderson and Brooke Simpson. With 2:45 remaining in the period, UNH’s Bryanna Farris scored off Jessica Hitchcock’s rebound to even the score at 1.

Defense prevailed for the most part in the second period, but Corinne Buie broke the lull for Providence with an assist from Simpson with 5:29 remaining in the period. Simpson and Buie each had an assist and a goal for Providence. Jenn Gilligan made 18 saves in the net for the Wildcats.

“That line has some chemistry,” said Providence head coach Bob Deraney. “Ever since we moved Simpson to center that’s really solidified our lineup.

“I think they brought it to us,” Deraney added. “We’re two teams competing the way we need to this time of year.”

In addition to the late surge, special teams proved to be important in the Wildcats salvaging a tie. UNH was 1 for 3 on the power play and did not give up any scoring on both of its penalties.

“Our special teams have been really good all year,” McCloskey said. “That’s going to win tight games. If you win the special teams battle, you usually win the game. We’re not a prolific scoring team so for us that’s got to be a part of our solution.”

With three games left in the regular season, the Wildcats are focused on the playoffs and home ice advantage.

“We got three out of four points and we’re in a dog fight with that team so we didn’t give up ground,” McCloskey said. “It’s going to be an exciting run into the playoffs.”

The Wildcats will travel to Boston University (20-5-3, 15-2-1) on Wednesday.